The 12 Jyotirlinga Temples in India – Sacred Shrines of Lord Shiva

Hinduism holds a deep reverence for Lord Shiva, the supreme deity known as the destroyer and protector. Among the numerous temples dedicated to Him, the 12 Jyotirlingas stand out as the most sacred and powerful shrines. Each temple represents a self-manifested form (Lingam) of Shiva, radiating divine energy and attracting devotees seeking spiritual peace and moksha (liberation).

These temples are spread across nine states, and each one carries its own legend, its own architecture, and its own rhythm of daily worship. Below is a complete guide to all 12 — the story behind each, the best time to visit, and how to get there — along with practical answers for anyone planning the full Jyotirlinga Yatra.

List of 12 Jyotirlinga Temples in India

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga – Gujarat

Standing where the Arabian Sea meets the Gujarat coast, Somnath is considered the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Its origin story involves Chandra, the Moon God, who married all 27 daughters of King Daksha but openly favoured only one, Rohini. The neglected wives complained to their father, who cursed Chandra to lose his radiance. Chandra prayed to Shiva at this spot, and Shiva restored his glow — which is why the moon waxes and wanes to this day. The temple itself has been destroyed and rebuilt at least 17 times through history, most notably after invasions by Mahmud of Ghazni, yet it still stands today as a symbol of unbroken faith.

2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Andhra Pradesh

Set in the Nallamala Hills at Srisailam, Mallikarjuna is unique for being both a Jyotirlinga and one of the 18 Shakti Peethas — sacred to both Shaivites and Shaktas. According to legend, when their son Kartikeya left home in frustration and settled in these hills, Shiva and Parvati followed to console him. Unable to meet him directly, they chose to stay nearby in divine form — Shiva as Mallikarjuna, Parvati as Bhramaramba Devi. The temple is seen as a symbol of parental love and devotion.

3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain is the only Jyotirlinga among the 12 that faces south — a direction traditionally associated with Yama, the god of death, which is why this orientation is believed to offer special protection from untimely death. Legend holds that a demon named Dushana was terrorising the people of Ujjain until Shiva appeared in his fierce Mahakal form and destroyed him, then chose to remain here as the city's eternal protector. The temple's Bhasma Aarti, performed with sacred ash in the early morning hours, is one of the most distinctive rituals at any Jyotirlinga in India.

4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar sits on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River — an island whose very shape is said to resemble the sacred "Om" symbol. Several legends surround its origin: one tells of King Mandhata's penance pleasing Shiva enough to manifest here; another describes a battle between gods and demons where Shiva appeared as Omkareshwar to defeat the asuras and chose to stay. A short boat ride connects pilgrims to the island temple, and the parikrama (circumambulation) route around it is about 7 km.

5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Uttarakhand

The most physically demanding of the 12 to reach, Kedarnath sits high in the Himalayas and is part of the Chota Char Dham circuit. According to the Mahabharata, after the Kurukshetra war the Pandavas sought Shiva's forgiveness for the bloodshed. Shiva, reluctant to face them, took the form of a bull and tried to slip away underground; when Bhima caught hold of his hump, it remained above ground at this very spot, becoming the Kedarnath lingam — while the rest of his form is said to have emerged at the other Panch Kedar temples nearby.

6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra

Tucked into the Sahyadri hills, Bhimashankar's legend centres on a demon named Bhima (son of Kumbhakarna), who terrorised the region while performing penance for his own power. Shiva descended to defeat him, and the sweat from that battle is said to have formed the Bhima River, which still flows through this sacred area today. A Parvati temple stands close by, reflecting the divine bond between Shiva and his consort.

7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Uttar Pradesh

Perhaps the most revered of all 12, Kashi Vishwanath sits on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi — a city Hindus consider the holiest on earth. It's believed that anyone who dies within Kashi's boundaries is granted moksha directly, with Shiva himself whispering the Tarak Mantra into their ear. The temple you see today, with its distinctive gold-plated dome, was rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century after earlier structures were repeatedly destroyed.

8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra

Near Nashik, Trimbakeshwar is considered the source of the sacred Godavari River. According to legend, sage Gautam Rishi and his wife Ahilya performed intense penance here, and Shiva rewarded their devotion by residing as Trimbakeshwar. What makes this Jyotirlinga architecturally unusual is that its lingam is said to represent Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh together — a rare triple form found nowhere else among the 12.

9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga – Jharkhand

Also known as Baba Baidyanath, this temple in Deoghar draws especially large crowds during the month of Shravan. Its name comes from a legend in which Shiva appeared as a Vaidya (physician) to heal Ravana, who is said to have worshipped intensely at this spot. The temple complex includes 21 smaller shrines and remains one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in eastern India, particularly for the Kanwar Yatra during Shravan.

10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Gujarat

Located near Dwarka, Nageshwar's legend tells of a demon named Daruka who imprisoned a devoted Shiva worshipper named Supriya. Even in captivity, she continued her devotion, and Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga to defeat the demon and free her — which is why Nageshwar is associated with protection from poison and negative energies. A massive 25-metre seated Shiva statue near the temple is visible from a distance and has become a landmark in its own right. Many pilgrims combine this visit with nearby Dwarkadhish Temple and Bet Dwarka.

11. Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga – Tamil Nadu

On Pamban Island at Rameswaram, this temple is directly tied to the Ramayana. Before crossing to Lanka to rescue Sita, Lord Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here to seek atonement for the eventual killing of Ravana, a Brahmin by birth. The temple is famous for having one of the longest corridors of any temple in India, lined with intricately carved pillars, and blends northern and southern Indian temple architecture.

12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra

The smallest of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Grishneshwar more than makes up for its size with its setting — just 1 km from the UNESCO World Heritage Ellora Caves, making it a natural stop for pilgrims and heritage travellers alike. Its legend tells of a devout woman named Kusuma, whose unwavering daily worship of Shiva moved him to appear here as a Jyotirlinga. The current red-stone structure, with its five-storey shikhara, was built by Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century.

Adiyogi Shiva Temple

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: 112-foot statue at Isha Yoga Center by Sadhguru.
Chikkaballapur, Karnataka: New identical statue inaugurated in 2023.

The Role of Goddess Parvati

Shiva is incomplete without Goddess Parvati, the divine Shakti. Worshipping both together symbolizes spiritual harmony, love, and completeness — visible directly at Mallikarjuna and Bhimashankar, where Parvati shrines stand alongside Shiva's.

Planning the Full Jyotirlinga Yatra

Since the 12 Jyotirlingas span nine states from the Himalayas to Tamil Nadu, most pilgrims complete the yatra in stages rather than one trip. The temples naturally group into four regional circuits:

• West Circuit: Somnath, Nageshwar, Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar (Gujarat + Maharashtra)
• Central Circuit: Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
• North Circuit: Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath (open only in specific months for Kedarnath)
• South & East Circuit: Mallikarjuna, Ramanathaswamy, Vaidyanath

A full pilgrimage covering all 12 typically takes 18–22 days if done in one continuous trip, or can be shortened with flights between regions. October to November is generally the only window when all 12, including Kedarnath, are simultaneously accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the first Jyotirlinga?
Somnath in Gujarat is traditionally considered the first among the 12.

Can I complete the 12 Jyotirlinga darshan in one trip?
Yes, though it requires careful planning since the temples are spread across nine states. Many devotees visit them in regional groups over several trips instead.

Which Jyotirlinga is considered the most significant?
All 12 are considered equally divine, but Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath are especially revered — Kashi for the belief that dying there grants moksha, and Somnath for being the first and most historically resilient of the 12.

What is the best time of year for the Jyotirlinga Yatra?
October to March, when weather across most regions is pleasant. Kedarnath is the exception, open only between Akshaya Tritiya (April–May) and Bhai Dooj (October–November).

The Significance of Visiting All 12 Jyotirlingas

Visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas is believed to cleanse karma and lead to spiritual liberation. Each temple carries unique energy and blessings — and together, they trace a devotional map of India itself.

Bring the Jyotirlinga's Energy Home

Every Jyotirlinga is, at its core, a sacred Shivling — and in every one of these temple sanctums, Nandi sits facing Shiva in eternal devotion. You don't need to travel across India to recreate this same devotional presence in your own home mandir. A compact Shivling paired with a Nandi idol facing it brings that same temple tradition into daily reach.

999 Silver Plated Shivling with Naag – 3 Inch

₹1,399

Shop Now →

999 Silver Plated Nandi Ji Idol – 3 Inch

₹1,299

Shop Now →

Want the full placement rules first — size, direction, and how Nandi and Shivling should face each other? Read our detailed guides: Can You Keep a Shivling at Home? and Nandi Idol at Home: Vastu Placement Guide.

Plan Your Pilgrimage

Start your sacred journey today. Discover our handcrafted idols to connect with divine energy at home or office.